Policy/Action: In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Section 508 standards must be included in all solicitation documents involved in any manner with the procurement of Information Technology (IT) goods and services.

Timeframe: This guidance is effective immediately.

Budget Impact: Minimal

Background: In November 2007, OMB, released guidance reminding Federal Agencies to consider Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794d, when drafting solicitations that require the purchase of Electronic or IT investments. The Act, in conjunction with the FAR, requires agencies to ensure 508 compliance is part of the procurement planning process unless an exception applies and is documented. Consideration of Section 508 standards must be a standard part of federal procurement planning process, market research, and requirements definition. Section 508 ensures that Federal Agency employees with disabilities have access to and the use of information and data needed to perform their jobs, thus reducing barriers to job success and mobility. Section 508 also ensures that members of the public with disabilities have the ability to access government information and services. This IM serves as a reminder to IT and acquisition workforce personnel of their collaborative roles in this area.

Procurement and IT personnel may use the resources available on the Internet at www.buyaccessible.gov, to guide them in conducting acquisitions that are Section 508 compliant. The site offers documentation of the needs assessment phase in a general acquisition process consisting of Section 508 Relevance, Section 508 Market Research, and Market Research Analysis (Commercial Non-Availability Determination).

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: This IM affects the “BLM Corporate Metadata Repository (CMR) Best Management Practices for Incorporating E&IT Section 508 into IT Projects” Version 1.0, dated January 16, 2002. The document provides instructions relating to IT disability accessibility for each phase and stage of an IT development project.

Coordination: This IM was coordinated among WO-500, WO-800, and the NOC.

Contact: If you have any questions, please contact the BLM Section 508 Coordinator, Ms. Laura F. Bell, at (202) 452-5013.